This week I experienced a first. I was disappointed in God. I cannot recall ever being angry or disappointed in God before. Not that I haven’t been, I just don’t recall ever knowing it.

Here’s how I came to that realization. I have about a 40 minute commute to work. The normal surface streets - day in and day out. I typically use the commute time to think and reflect on things. This particular day I noticed something unusual for me. Before I had even gone 5 miles (of the 15 mile commute) I had mentally grumbled at the driving of at least 3 drivers. I see this every day. It occurred to me that I was angry at the driving and that something must be going on. I said to myself, “Hey Dave, what’s up - why are you so angry?”

That in itself was a revealing realization - that the source of my anger could be coming from somewhere else. By the time I had finished my commute I determined the source was disappointment with God. I had prayed the week before and asked for something. He delivered EXACTLY what I asked for. The reason for my asking was I felt my motives might not be pure. As it turns out my motives were not so pure, as evidenced by my disappointment.

Prayer answered! A blessing? Yes. I discovered something more about myself which needs to be worked on. He cares enough about me to answer my prayers AND give me the truth all at once. That makes me happy!

What does God’s voice sound like? Are we supposed to feel something or is it emotionless? Do we hear it audibly? If not, how can I know it was God’s voice?

I believe that God is always there, He is always working whether I can see Him or not. Not that He is working somewhere else, with someone else - He is working with me and in me. He is trying to accomplish something. During those seasons of quiet, I keep asking what? What is He trying to do? What is He trying to tell me?

I have heard God speak many times. Never audibly, but in many ways and confirming in many ways so that I had no doubt it was God. And the test of tests is to look back a SEE the hand and direction of God at those times when I wondered, is this God?

I feel He is about to lead me to something deeper, but what? All I can do is continue to be quiet before Him, and wait.

It has been 64 years since the first computer bug was documented in official records. Since this time the little beasties have propagated into number that seem to reach infinity.

Without these might life be a little easy, dare I say, cushy. These little creatures have given man a purpose to live, if only not to be beaten down by a machine. Enjoy.

Click on the image to a larger view

• Prayer can be hindered

Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as the weaker partners and show them honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life. In this way nothing will hinder your prayers.
1 Peter 3:7 - New English Translation (NET)

• Prayer can be answered in the affirmative, but the answer delayed

Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there with the kings of Persia.
Daniel 10:12-13 - New English Translation (NET)

• Prayer will be granted, if belief is present

But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8 - New English Translation (NET)

I tell you the truth, if someone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:23-24 - New English Translation (NET)

• Prayer of the righteous is powerful

So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness.
James 5:16 - New English Translation (NET)

But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:6 - New English Translation (NET)

• Prayer with wrong motive will not be answered

You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.
James 4:3 - New English Translation (NET)

• Prayer is not about many (or the right) words

When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:7-8 - New English Translation (NET)

• Prayer will keep from temptation

Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41 - New English Translation (NET)

• Prayer leads to restored relationship with God

Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that he may perhaps forgive you for the intent of your heart.
Acts 8:22 - New English Translation (NET)

• Prayer in Jesus name will be granted

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
John 14:13-14 - New English Translation (NET)

Does no one but see the problem with those “for your additional security questions?”

Ding! Ding! Red flags, bells, alarms and sirens are going off!

What is your mothers maiden name? What is the name of your firstborn? How much did you make in your first year of work?

Very soon there will be a VAST array of personal data collected for each and everyone of us. And all this is so we’ll be protected? Tell me how putting every personal detail of my life in database after database will protect me? We these companies arrogant enough to imply that they’ll never have their security breached? We all know there’s a chance. Where there’s a lock, there’s a locksmith.

I can’t believe the security heads can’t get together and find another way that ensures I am me that will no further risk even greater damage to my personal information should their security be breached.

It seems crazy with what I have on my plate but I started another book last night. Mostly because it’s borrowed and I want to get it back to the owner as soon as possible.

I found the reading a quite enjoyable diversion after a busy, but productive day.

USA Today reports that some states have begun adopting a ‘No smiling on your drivers license photo’ policy, other states are expected to follow suit.

Evidently facial contortions can affect law enforcement efforts. Interesting.

You’d have thought that long before now law enforcement officials would have figured out that that Cheshire Cat grin meant something was awry.

Not too long ago I was sitting with a friend comparing my abilities to his in a similar area. Of course, I was feeling completely inadequate. He reminded me that I am me and I should be me and offer what I had to offer. Because what I had to offer was different and unique, something that he could not offer.

So although I am different in this area - the difference is a good thing. True, I’m not him - but he’s not me either.

The job has me in Nashville staying at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

This IS a sight!

The pictures do not do it justice. This place is huge… a river walk, boat ride, immense gardens and so much more all inside the hotel.

Hmmm, maybe work isn’t so bad afterall - NOT!

But I was thinking for just a moment….